eye of the former, exclaimed, as he bent eagerly over
him,--

"See you this, Captain de Haldimar? At the still hour of
midnight, while you had abandoned your guard to revel in
the arms of your Indian beauty, I stole into the fort by
means of the same rope that you had used in quitting it.
Unseen by the sentinels I gained your father's apartment.
It was the first time we had met for twenty years; and
I do believe that had the very devil presented himself
in my place, he would have been received with fewer marks
of horror. Oh, how that proud man's eye twinkled beneath
this glittering blade! He attempted to call out, but my
look paralysed his tongue, and cold drops of sweat stole
rapidly down his brow and cheek. Then it was that my
seared heart once more beat with the intoxication of
triumph. Your father was alone and unarmed, and throughout
the fort not a sound was to be heard, save the distant
tread of the sentinels. I could have laid him dead, at
my feet at a single blow, and yet have secured my retreat.
But no, that was not my object. I came to taunt him with
the promise of my revenge--to tell him the hour of my
triumph was approaching fast; and, ha!" he concluded,
laughing hideously as he passed his large rude hand
through the wavy hair of the now uncovered officer," this
is, indeed, a fair and unexpected first earnest of the
full redemption of my pledge. No--no!" he continued, as
if talking to himself, "he must not die. Tantulus-like,
he shall have death ever apparently within his grasp;
but, until all his race have perished before his eyes,